Individual packaging apparatus, method, and package



H. N. MOORE Jan. 9, 1962 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, ANDPACKAGE Filed on. 7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Howard Nelson MooreATTORNEYS H. N. MOORE Jan. 9, 1962 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS,METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. '7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 48.

FIG, I B.

FIG. 58.

FIG. 3B.

INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore xiii;

Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed on. 7, 1957 16Sheets-Sheet s ZNVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore ATTORNEYS H. N. MOORE3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Jan. 9, 1962 16Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 7, 1957 INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore mom 5 i5:6 Q i Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. 7, 195716 Sheets-Sheet 5 8 Q PuperRoll N Solenoid Control Geneva Stop FIG. 8

4; Air Feed fi Exhuusf Axr To Pull Buck Air Feed To Valve INVENTORHoward Nelson Moore ATTORNEYS H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

16 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR Howard Nelson ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1962INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. 7, 1957Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. '7, 195716 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. 6A.

FIG. IOA.

INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. 7,. 195716 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG. I78.

34" I Elm I 1 M13 FIG. I28. I

INVhNTOR Howard Nelson Moore BY I ATTORNEY H. N. MOORE Jan. 9, 1962INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. '7, 195716 Sheets-Sheet 9 FIG. [48.

FIG' 13B.

FIG. I5B.

FIG. I98.

'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJ INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore FIG. I88.

ATTORN Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

- INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed oat. 7, 195716 Sheets-Sheet 1o FIG. II.

Air To Pull 210 Back INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1962H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. 7, 195716 Sheets-Sheet l1 In, "254 E INVENT OR Howard Nelson Moore ATTORNEYSJan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. '7, 195716 Sheets-Sheet 12 Pull Buck Cylinder FIG. I5.

MoIn Cylinder Cutting Die INVENTOR Howard Nelson Moore W M ATTORNEYS H.N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Jan. 9, 1962 16Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed Oct. 7,. 1957 Bond Wheel INVENTOR Howard NelsonMoore Ma ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. 7, 195716 Sheets-Sheet 14 5 Micro- Switch 25s/ O A v 0 260 IAIII Solenoids FourPack ling One Release ZNVENTOR Howard Nelson Mo ore ATTORNEYS H. N.MOORE Jan. 9, 1962 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGEFiled 00%.. '7, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 Howard Nelson Moore ATTORNEYSJan. 9, 1962 H. N. MOORE 3,015,917

INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PACKAGE Filed Oct. 7, 195716 Sheets-Sheet 16 o2 2B A. Vacuum B. Inert Gas Under i Pressure, May BeI Irradiated Or Entrain C. Coil- :egt/ geaiir h 216 Antibiotic Dust Or nr Spra Frequency y D. Storage 216 Extended 4 z. E 7 7' E 4 A 40l H 7 7'V I E Irradiation Chamber Or F. Flash Freeze G. Deep Freeze H.Dehydrofreeze sfo'oge I. Pasturization Package Sent To Storage D i Thereg) Be After 0 Or Any Subsequent Compartmented Chambers Event E,F,G,HAnd/Or 40| Where Pressure Sea! is Used Without Heat Package May Be SentTo Storage Without Treatment INVENTOR Howa rd N. Moore ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent C) 3,015,917 INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING APPARATUS, METHOD, ANDPACKAGE Howard Nelson Moore, Apt. 201, 1901 East West Highway, SilverSpring, Md. Filed Oct. 7, 1957, Ser. No. 688,756 18 Claims. (Cl. 5321)The present invention concerns the packaging of a number of relativelysimilar objects, articles or units of material in a multicompartmentalpackage, and the preservation of the packaged uni s.

Reference is made to US. Letters Patent No. 2,255,- 432, granted to meSeptember 9, 1941, on analogous subject matter, for supplementarydisclosure and background.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copendingapplications Serial No. 411,235, filed September 17, 1941, now abandonedin view of Serial No. 92,476, filed May 10, 1949, now US. Patent No.2,808,691, granted October 8, 1957, and Serial No. 454,912, filedSeptember 9, 1954.

It is an object of the invention to provide a package of similar unitsof material which are individually wrapped, each unit being sealedagainst contamination or change by any foreign matter, bacteria,moisture, undesired oxidation, other undesirable chemical changes, orthe like. The present invention provides a package comprising individualunits of similar character which are contained in individualcompartments formed of cup-shaped elements which may overlap in sealingrelation one with the other to form a unitary package of substantialstrength whereby to guarantee the integrity of the sealed character ofthe individual compartments.

It is an object of the invention to package individually, like units ofmaterial comprising candy lozenges, candy mints, pigments, putty,extracts, chemicals, tablets, pharmaceuticals, slices of bread, cakes,cookies, cheese, fish, sea food, meat, meat products, tobacco, spices,tea, sugar, flour, meal and without limitation, loose materials of allkinds, including granulated, powdered or viscous materials and liquids.These products may be packaged in measured units to facilitate usewithout waste and to achieve a desired result. Diverse articles may bepackaged such as complete meals, food and drink mixes, sandwiches,condiments or any compound ready mixed or in its component parts.

It is an object of the invention to provide a package for individualunits of perishable materials, such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals,foodstuffs and the like which can be irradiated by fissionable materialor a radiation generating device, or any suitable radioactive materialor source.

The radiation herein referred to may be low level radiation of materialsbefore packaging or preferably of the packaged material with allcoverings and seals intact. Although low level radiation is at thepresent time preferred because it provides adequate normal protection tothe otherwise perishable contents without interference with taste, odor,or other characteristics, the invention is not limited to this type ofirradiation. Where the objection to discoloration, changes in smell, andtaste, are not limiting factors or they are controllable withinacceptable limits, the invention is intended to be utilized for thepackaging of food which is sterilized completely whereby refrigerationcan, in most cases, be dispensed with entirely. Such packages may beused in the field on long trips or merely stored on a shelf and used aunit at a time as required.

While the present technique of relatively low level irradiation forpasteurization is preferred, and it is not 3,015,917 Patented Jan. 9,1962 intended for normal use to make the packages or their contentsradioactive, such treatment is not precluded where the maintenance ofthe otherwise perishable contents under highly adverse conditions isparamount to taste, smell and other requirements regarding changes incharacteristics. Even in these cases, sterilization is all that would berequired and it is only where there is danger of contamination from theoutside by penetration or rupture of the compartment walls or the sealedjoints that radioactivation of the contents, however mild, is resortedto. Until these techniques are improved, it is contemplated that thepasteurized packages of the more delicate or more perishable foods willbe refrigerated as well.

The air contained in the individual compartments of the package may bewithdrawn and replaced by an inert gas such as nitrogen or other airwhich has been sterilized. Nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, neon or thelike are preferred where oxidation is a deleterious factor. If desired,the sterilized air or inert gas itself may be radioactivated beforeinjection in those cases where a long period of storage under highlyadverse conditions is contemplated. If any chemical reaction, perfumingefiect, coloring, taste, texture or food value change or any otherchemical or physical combination or mixture is desired, the proper gasor material may of course be introduced during packaging or later.

It is to be understood that in all cases where the package and itscontents are radioactivated, sutlicient shelf life or other storage timemust be allowed prior to human consumption to assure against poisoningfrom this source. Such packages, as well as those just discussed above,are preferably dated, showing time of sealing or the date after whichthey may be opened and used with good effect and safety.

It is an object of the invention to provide means for producing apackage of a number of articles which are individually wrapped.

It is an object of the invention to provide means for producing apackage containing a number of substantially sterile articles, each ofwhich is sealed against contamination by any foreign matter, moisture orthe like.

The present invention provides a device whereby individual units ofsimilar character may be rapidly and securely packaged individually by asingle strip of paper. While the invention is primarily intended topackage relatively small articles such as lozenges, candy mints,tablets, pharmaceuticals, it nevertheless may be applied to much largerthings such as slices of bread, cakes, cookies or anything which isfairly regular in outline and has two reasonably fiat surfaces.

It is not, however, limited to such articles and may be utilized topackage loose material such as tobacco or sugar which need notnecessarily be compressed into tablet form. The invention finds animportant application in the field of food packaging. Many perishablefoods, for example meat patties, may be packaged individually in thesame package by the present invention and may thereby eliminate the needof refrigeration where the food product has been irradiated, mixed withantibiotics, or other preservative means employed. It will beappreciated that the opening of one or more compartment units willneither disturb nor contaminate the remainder of the package. While theunits need not be round, they should preferably be substantially uniformin shape.

The term article is used herein as a thing of a particular class orkind, as defined at page 156 of Websters New International Dictionary,Second Edition, Unabridged, G. & C. Merriam Company, publishers, 1947.

The present invention may utilize a feeding table in the central portionof which is an aperture of such size as to receive the article. Theaperture is surrounded by a depending tube with a flaring lip. A roll ofwrapping paper of suitable width is disposed at one side of the tableand led by suitable guides and feeding rollers across the aperture.Above the aperture is positioned a die punch. 'The paper is fed acrossthe aperture by suitable mechanism and the article to be wrappedpositioned thereon. A die punch is then lowered to cut a suitable blankfrom the paper. The edges of the blank may be tongued or not as desired.A punch which is associated with the die structure ,forces the articleto be wrapped and the small paper blank upon which it rests into theflaring mouth of the aperture. There is sufficient margin provided onthe paper blank to leave an upstanding annular collar extending wellabove the article to be wrapped. The article rests within the tube in adishlike compartment, the top of which is open. The feeding rollersadvance the paper strip so-that it again covers the aperture and asecond article is deposited thereon over the aperture and substantiallycentrally thereon. The die punch again descends, cuts a second blank andforces the article and the blank on which it rests into the tube on topof the first article. The second blank will be seen to form a cover forthe first article and the marginal portion of the first blank willextend up around the sides of the second article on the outside of thesecond blank. This operation is repeated and the articles force eachother down the tube which, after the mouth portion is passed, is of suchdiameter as to cause the marginal portion of the blanks to fit snuglyagainst the outside of the side of the next succeeding article andblank. The tongued portions permit easy overlap at this stage. The papermay be waxed, coated, or of heat sealing cellophane or the like. 'Aportion of the periphery of the tube may be heated by any suitable meanssuch as a heating coil, causing the marginal portions of the blankswhich are folded against the sides of the succeeding blanks to adherethereto in a vapor-proof gas-tight seal. The article is entirelyenclosed between the two blanks in an individual compartment. Ifdesired, the die punch structure may be made hollow and the articlesdeposited. on the paper strip over the aperture from amagazine feed inthe hollow portion of the punch. In this way the article is depositedsubstantilly simultaneously with the dieing out of the paper blank. Aperhaps simpler construction may be obtained by employing a separatemechanism for positioning the articles. This is particularly true wheresome variation in size must be dealt with. If desired, pre-formed cupsmay be used to form the package by nesting them in the tube where thecup walls overlap and are sealed. The invention also embracescompartments formed in a plastic material wrapper by twisting theindividual compartment portions. The twisting can all be in the samedirection or reversed, as to alternate compartments. Pre-formed cups mayalso be pre-filled.

In addition to the other means for the preparation of food, disclosedherein, it is an object of the invention to use'the penicillins and themycins, such as aureomycin, alone or together with similar and relatedantibiotics, which shall be selected for their disinfecting orantibiotic properties, with a minimal eflect on taste and color. Thesesubstances may be added to the foods'prior to packaging, and mixedtherewith or sprayed thereon as desired. Again, the method of foodpreservation employed herein may utilize short sound waves which areultrasonic in character, alone or in addition to' the irradiationdiscussed at length. It is also contemplated that dehydrofreezing, that'is deep or quick freezing with small crystal formation supplemented bysublimation of the ice crystals with or without the application of avacuum, may be incorporated as steps in the process of forming a packageaccording to the invention. It will be understood that: in order tomaintain quality 4 with minimum deleterious action on the packaged foodstwo or more of the above preserving means or processes may be employedin combination or successively on food to be packaged or food in thepackages.

In the drawings like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary elevation in section of one form of theinvention. 2

FIGURE 2 is an elevation in section of the die punch mechanism and oneform of event wheel.

FIGURE 3 is a section taken along line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a second form of eventwheel.

FIGURE 5 is one form of package having a formed closure of part of thewrapper.

FIGURE 6 is another form of package having an added closure member.

FIGURE 7 is a general arrangement detail showing a side elevation of apresently preferred form of individual packaging machine. 1

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the form of machine shown in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a side elevation of the mechanism for handling and placingarticles or units to be packaged.

FIGURE 10 is an end elevation of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a general arrangement detail showing air piping from valveto operating cylinder of the individual packaging machine.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view along line 12-12 of FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is a detail arrangement elevation of package sealing andpackage release.

FIGURE 14 is a'detail arrangement plan of package sealing and packagerelease of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is a sectional elevation of a general arrangement detail ofoperating cylinder cutting die and punch. I

FIGURE 16 is an elevation partially in section of a general arrangementdetail of air valve and the operating cam.

FIGURE 17 is a plan view of a general arrangement detail ofmicro-switches for operating solenoids in sealing and releasing.

FIGURE 18 is a side elevation of FIGURE 17.

FIGURE 19 is an end elevation of FIGURE 17.

FIGURE 20 is an elevation of a general arrangement detail of packingpaper holder and feed.

FIGURE 21 is an end elevation of a general arrangement detail ofwastepaper removal structure.

. FIGURE 22 is an end elevation of FIGURE 21.

FIGURE 23 is a schematic showing of the various treatments to which thepackage may be subjected in sequence.

FIGURE 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the newpackage. 7

FIGURE 2a is a plan view of one form of partition member.

FIGURE 30 is a section along line 33 of FIGURE 2a.

FIGURE 4a is a fragmentary portion of FIGURE 1a enlarged to show detail.

FIGURE 5a is a modification of FIGUR-E 4a.

' FIGURE 6a is a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 7a is a plan view of the form of partition members used in FIGURE6a.

FIGURE 8a is a section taken along line 88 of FIG- URE 7a.

FIGURE 9a is a sectional viewof a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 10a is a plan view of one of the elements of FIGURE 9a.

FIGURE lla is a section along line 1111 of FIG- URE 10a.

FIGURE 12a is a section of a modified form of the invention. A a

FIGURE 1b is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the newpackage.

FIGURE 2b is a plan view of one form of partition member.

FIGURE 3b is a section along line 33 of FIGURE 2b.

FIGURE 4b is a fragmentary portion of FIGURE 1b enlarged to show detail.

FIGURE 5b is a modification of FIGURE 411.

FIGURE 61; is a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 71') is a plan view of the form of partition members used inFIGURE 6b.

FIGURE 8b is a section taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 7b.

FIGURE 9b is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 10!) is a plan view of one of the elements of FIGURE 9b.

FIGURE 11b is a section along line 11-11 of FIG- URE 10b.

FIGURE 12b is a section of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 13b is an enlarged section of the package of FIGURE 9b Without anouter wrapper.

FIGURE 14b is an enlarged section of the package of FIGURE 9b with amodified closure.

FIGURE 15b is an enlarged section of the package of FIGURE 9b with aclosure such as shown at the top of FIGURE lb.

FIGURE 16b is a modified form of the invention for packaging larger fiatunits such as slices of bread, hamburger patties, cheese slices,luncheon meat, sandwiches and the like.

FIGURE 17b is a section of a modified form of package using an outerwrapper shell.

FIGURE 18b is a sectional elevation of one form of spacer or supportelement to be employed where the packaged contents are fragile ordelicate in one sense or another.

FIGURE 19b is a section closure or spacer element which may be employedin certain forms of the invention.

One form of the invention comprises a machine frame 10 of usualconstruction which supports a table 11 having a central aperture 12. Anannular guide ring 13 is mounted on the under side of the table 11 andsurrounds aperture 12. A tapered channel 14 in ring 13 connects aperture12 and tube 15 which is mounted on the under surface of ring 13.Aperture 12, channel 14 and tube 15 are aligned and form a continuouspassage which is progressively smaller in cross sectional area fromaperture 12 to the upper end of tube 15. While aperture 12 and channel14 are shown as frusto conical and tube 15 is cylindrical it Will beunderstood that these elements may have polygonal, elliptical, or anyother suitable cross-section to conform with or to form the packagedunits or the package produced. The lower end of tube 15 may have asomewhat enlarged diameter at 16 and may be connected with another tubeor slide to deliver completed packages to a box or other grouping ofpackages as a merchandizing sales package.

At one side of aperture 12 a narrow roll 17 of strip packaging materialsuch as waxed paper, coated heat or pressure sealing cellophane, coatedheat or pressure sealing foils or the like is mounted at 18 on frame 10and table 11. The narrow strip 19 is lead over curved guide 20, alongthe upper surface of table 11 between feed rolls 21 and 22 and overaperture 12 to a very slightly raised stop edge 23 in table 11. Table 11is constructed with its upper surface at two slightly different levels,that portion to the left of stop edge 23 in FIGURE 1 bemg higher thanthe portion to the right by the thickness of strip 19. Additional feedrolls 21, 22 may be provided if desired to assure that strip 19 liesflat and does not buckle.

A guide sleeve 24 is supported by frame 10 directly over aperture 12 intable 11. A cutter member 25 1S shdably 6 mounted within guide sleeve 24and provided with an annular cutting edge 26 and radial slitting knives27. Annular cutting edge 26 dies out a circular blank from strip 19 andradial knives 27 cut radial slits in the outer edge of the blank. Wherepucker is a problem slitting knives 27 may take the form shown at 28 andremove small wedge-shaped sectors from a blank.

Centered within guide sleeve 24 is a tube 29 which makes sliding contactwith an air tight packing gland 30 in the upper closed end 31 of guidesleeve 24. An annular piston plate 32 is mounted on tube 29 at 33 andslides smoothly within the guide sleeve 24. A coil spring 34 isconnected at one end to the lower side of annular piston 32, at the endto to the upper side of cutter member 25 and surrounds that portion ofthe tube 29 between piston 32 and cutter 25. Mounting means 33 firmlyunites piston 32 and tube 29, but cutter member 25 can slide relative toboth sleeve 24 and tube 29 under the reaction of the cutting forceexerted on strip 19 and the effect of spring 34.

Tube 29 may contain a central resilient plunger element 35 of rubber orthe like as shown in FIGURE 1,

or it may contain a series of closure members 36 of card board, fiber,plastic or other material as shown in FIG- URE 3. Where closure members36 are employed tube 29 extends upward into a supply hopper in which itreciprocates under the combined action of piston 32 and restoring spring37. Restoring spring 37 is anchored to the inner wall of sleeve 24 bybolts 38 and acts against the under surface of piston 32. It is to beunderstood that although sleeve 24, cutter member 25 and tube 29 areshown as circular in cross-section they may be of any shape suitable tocooperate with aperture 12, channel 14 and tube 15.

As will be seen in FIGURE 3 the upper portion of sleeve 24 between endclosure 31 and annular piston 32 comprises pneumatic cylinder to whichair under suitable pressure is supplied from compressor-reservoircombination 39 by pipe 49. A combination control and bleed valve 41 isconnected in pipe 40 and is operated by solenoid 42 connected in turn tocontrol panel 43 by lead wires 44.

Closure member ejector 45 is mounted on an inner wall of sleeve 24 withthe pneumatic cylinder portion. Ejector 45 comprises a pointed armature46 movable toward closure elements 36 underthe action of energizingwinding 47 connected to control panel 43 by lead wires 43. A lightcompression spring 49 maintains armature 46 inoperative when winding 47is not energized. Armature 46 operates by extending through slot 50 intube 29 and holding the column of closure members 36 stationarymomentarily until the lowest element 36 is ejected from tube 29.

An article supply tube 51 is mounted on frame 161 adjacent sleeve 24.Supply tube 51 may be connected to a hopper or other supply forcontinuous feed of articles 52 to be packaged or the tubes 51 may bereplaceable when empty. Beneath article supply tube 51 is mountedarticle positioning arm 53 having a curved article receiving faceportion 54 and an elongate arcuate tail portion 55. Tube 51 is raisedsuificiently above table 11 to allow ample clearance for the passage ofarm 53 and a single article 52. Arcuate tail portion supports theremaining articles 52 until arm 53 is returned. Arm 53 is operated by aspring return solenoid 56 and pivoted connecting rod 57 with suitablelinkage. Solenoid 56 is connected to control panel 43 by lead wires 58.

Feed rolls 21 and 22 are driven by motor 59 connected to control panel43 by lead wires 69. Motor 59 delivers just the right amount of strip 19without drift.

Where the outline of cutting edge is other than rectangular an edgingknife 61 is mounted on cutter member 25 by stud bolts 62 which move inslot 63 in guide sleeve 24. Trimmings are removed through cleanerchannel 64 connected with a suitable source of low pressure and having avalve 65 operated by the descent of cutter member 25 or synchronizedtherewith through lead wires 44. Instead of using knife 61, roll 22 maybe a serrating roll of a circumference equal to the length of Wrappingportion 79 and positioned close enough to aperture 12 that only a singleserration 80 exists in strip 19 at any one time.

In that form of the invention which employs resilient plunger element 35instead of closure members 36 closure of a package is effected in adifferent manner. A solenoid 66 is mounted on the underside of table 11.A depending arm 67 provides a pivot for bent lever arm 68 one end ofwhich is connected to plunger 69 of solenoid 66 and the other end has awidened package engaging portion 70. An elongate slot 71 in the lowerpart of tube 15 permits the passage of lever portion 70 which may becurved to fit the bottom of the package. Lead wires 72 connect solenoid66 to control panel 43 and may have a suitable delay device or network73 in the circuit.

Top closure forming mold 74 is mounted on top of table 11 on an arm 75which swings it clear of strip 19 which may be carried in a recessedchannel in table 11. Arm 75 is mounted in and operated by a springreturn solenoid 76 which is connected to control panel 43 by lead wires77. Heating element 78 is mounted on table 11 directly above closuremold 74 and is connected to a suitable source of power.

The operation of the various elements is controlled by event timingwheel 81 shown with ten segments by way of example only. Wheel 81 isrotatably mounted on frame or table 11 by pivot 82 and driven by motor83 with a small friction wheel 84 which bears against the outer edge ofwheel 81. A cable bar 85 is mounted on pivot 82 and control panel 43 andcarries a series of micro-switches connected to the various terminals ofthe bus bar and bus lead.

That form of the invention which utilizes closure elements 36 and formsa package 88 of eight units 52 is provided with an event timing wheel 81with events as shown in FIGURE 2. Five micro-switches 89, 90, 91, 92 and93 of the mercury tilt type are spaced along cable bar 85 to correspondwith five event circles 94, 95, 96, 87 and 98 on wheel 81.

The outer circle 94 is provided with eight cam-like projections 99positioned at the leading edge of each segment 100-107, inclusive, whichtilt mercury switch 89 and connect circuit 58 and solenoid 56 across thepower supply to actuate arm 53 position unit 52 on strip 19 overaperture 12.

Circle 95' is provided with eight cam-like projections 110 centrallylocated in each of the segments 100 to 107, inclusive, to cause switch90 to connect circuit 44 and solenoid 42 across the power supply.

Circle 96 is provided with eight cam-like projections 111 locatedadjacent the trailing edge of segments 100 to 106, inclusive, and 108 tocause switch 91 to connect circuit 60 across the power supply andenergize motor 59.

Circle 97 is provided with a single cam-like projection 112 positionedin segment 107 to close switch 92 just before switch 90 opens. Switch 92places circuit 48 across the power supply and actuates plunger 46 whentube 29 is in its lowest position. Switch 92 opens when tube 29 hasreturned the distance of the thickness of one closure unit 36. In viewof the critical character of this last action it may be desirable toactuate and release plunger 46 by having tube 29 or piston 32 operate aswitch in circuit 48.- A mercury tilt switch in-circuit 48 could beclosed by a trip when tube 29 is in its lowest position and opened by asecond trip when tube 29 has been raised the thickness of one closureunit 36.

That form of the invention which utilizes top closure forms mold 74 andforms a package 113 is provided with an event time wheel 114 which issimilar to wheel 81 in the first seven segments through 106, inclusive,as shown by segments 115 through 121, inclusive. Segment 122 closescircuits 58 and 44, respectively, in the same time sequence as insegment 107 of wheel 81, but circuit 48 has been eliminated. In segment122, circle 97, cam-like projection 125 closes switch 92 and connectscircuit 77 to the power supply, actuating solenoid 76 and placing topmold 74 over aperture 12.. Switch 92 also closes circuit 72 and placessolenoid 66 across the power supply through delay device 73, thusassuring top mold 74 ample time to reach its position over aperturebefore package engaging portion 70 forces the package 113 upward, sothat form 74 folds the upper flaps of package 113 over and seals them.

Package 88 usually contains six, eight or ten merchandise units 52 eachcontained in individual nested establish a substantial overlap with anested member and closely approach the bottom of the second nextadjacent nested cup, leaving a narrow annular band 127 of singlethickness of material such that the strength of the package 88 as acolumn is but slightly decreased and the opening of a single individualcompartment is greatly facilitated. It is only necessary to force afingernail against narrow band 127 to give rise to a relatively highlocalized stress in shear in this narrow strip of single thickness.Theclosely adjacent edge of the double wall portion provides a stillresistant shearing edge which cooperates with the fingernail much likethe blades of a pair of scissors. Where the cup members 126 are made ofheat sealing. cellulose or other coated sheet material the nestedmembers 126 are sealed together by a ring of sealing material adheringto, the outside of the cupshaped member 126 adjacent its bottom andadhering to the inside of the next adjacent member 126 below adjacent toits top, forming a strong unitary structural member of the nestedcupmembers 126. Closure 36 is preferably a little larger than the units 52to assure a good seal under pressure as the cups 126 pass heat ring 128surrounding tube 15. For quicker setting of the heat seal, particularlyfor package 113, the heating elfect of ring 128 is localized by makingit part of the inner wall of tube 15 and insulating ring 128 from therest of tube 15 with fiber, porcelain, wood or the like. Where desired,as with medicaments, closure 36 may be a folded coiled direction sheet.

Package 113 differs from package in the top closure which is formed byfolding over wall portions 129 of the uppermost cup member 126 and heatsealing them. Portions 129 should butt seal together in the center andoverlap radially Without the necessity of adding an outer paper discseal. However, such thin seals can be substituted for resilient column35 and added at the final punch operation for each package 113 ifdesired. To allow for variations and assure a complete closure a drop ofliquid cellulose acetate cement may be added by top mold 74 to thecenter 130 during the forming step. Again, wall portions 129 may be ofsuch length that they extend slightly beyond center 130.. a

The operation of the machine and formation of the package 88 is asfollows:

Tube 51 is filled with units 52 to be packaged and an adequate supplyfrom a hopper or other source is at hand. Strip 19 is advanced to stop23 and covers aperture .12. Event timing wheel 81 is driven slowlycounter-clockwise

13. THE METHOD OF PACKAGING A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES BY AUTOMATICMACHINERY COMPRISING THE STEPS OF PLACING AN ARTICLE ON A CUP-SHAPEDFIRST WRPPER ELEMENT, PLACING A SECOND ARTICLE ON A SECOND CUP-SHPEDWRAPPER ELEMENT NESTING SAID SECOND CUP-SHAPED WRAPPER ELEMENT AND SAIDFIRST WRAPPER ELEMENT WITH SAID FIRST ARTICLE THERETBETWEEN, CONTROLLINGTHE NESTING OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND WRAPPER ELEMENTS TO LIMIT THE FORCEEXERTED BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND WRAPPER ELEMENTS DURING THENESTING THEREOF, PROVIDING OVERLAPPING SIDE WALLS OF SAID FIRST ANDSECOND CUP-SHAPED WRAPPER ELEMENTS, PLACING IN A THIRD ARTICLE ON ATHIRD WRAPPER ELEMENT, NESTLING SAID THIRD WRAPPER ELEMENT AND SAIDSECOND WRAPPER ELEMENT WITH SAID SECOND ARTICLE THEREBETWEEN,CONTROLLING THE NESTING OF